Quick question - Can I...
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14,345
Likes: 4
From: Hartselle AL
St. Jude Donor '09
Quick question - Can I...
Replaced the diff. side yokes this weekend. One c-clip was 1/2 gone and both yokes were mushroomed. The new ones went in easy as pie.
When I ordered the yokes the vendor's (will remain nameless) description did not specify the difference between the standard and HD yokes, so I ordered the HD. Well, my '78 4speed uses the u-bolts to secure the half shaft universals which is the standard yoke. The HD uses the caps and bolts with the yoke threaded for the bolts. I didn't notice until the diff. was re-installed.
Finally, here's the question. Can I drill out the threads allow the little required hole size difference to re-install using the u-bolts? Those silly caps are $25 - $30+ each plus bolts and shipping. Am not trying to be too squeaking frugal here, but practical and get the job done.
Thanks
When I ordered the yokes the vendor's (will remain nameless) description did not specify the difference between the standard and HD yokes, so I ordered the HD. Well, my '78 4speed uses the u-bolts to secure the half shaft universals which is the standard yoke. The HD uses the caps and bolts with the yoke threaded for the bolts. I didn't notice until the diff. was re-installed.
Finally, here's the question. Can I drill out the threads allow the little required hole size difference to re-install using the u-bolts? Those silly caps are $25 - $30+ each plus bolts and shipping. Am not trying to be too squeaking frugal here, but practical and get the job done.
Thanks
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
If you have 300hp or less and are not going launch the car then the std yoke are fine. The
caps run about $30-$40 each for the originals, some aftermarket brands are junk, the fit is off and will crush the joint cap once torqued.
There's not enough material to drill and tap them so you have to choose. The fact a vendor didn't ask or know the difference is pathetic.
I'd be more concerned on the endplay with the new yokes in place, if there's any other concerns inside, and if nothing else remove, clean and re-install the Rg bolts with #271 loctite, better yet use new ARP's. 78's should have the flanged head RG bolts and they are not the best to use there. Remove and install one at a time if you do this.
caps run about $30-$40 each for the originals, some aftermarket brands are junk, the fit is off and will crush the joint cap once torqued.
There's not enough material to drill and tap them so you have to choose. The fact a vendor didn't ask or know the difference is pathetic.
I'd be more concerned on the endplay with the new yokes in place, if there's any other concerns inside, and if nothing else remove, clean and re-install the Rg bolts with #271 loctite, better yet use new ARP's. 78's should have the flanged head RG bolts and they are not the best to use there. Remove and install one at a time if you do this.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14,345
Likes: 4
From: Hartselle AL
St. Jude Donor '09
Thanks to all. Have ordered the caps. Different vendor!
Gary, the new yokes have removed the end play. No movement or slop now. Anything will be a vast improvement from the ones that were removed. At least I didn't have chatter and noise coming from the rear before but it is a stock cruiser and not going to be doing strip type launches.
I didn't discover the issue until the new yokes, diff and cross member were already back in the car. The vendors attitude was like "oh well, guess you should have known". Have checked other vendors and have found where they do clearly differentiate between the two types. Hopefully, this may catch someone else's eye and save them the same problem.
Gary, the new yokes have removed the end play. No movement or slop now. Anything will be a vast improvement from the ones that were removed. At least I didn't have chatter and noise coming from the rear before but it is a stock cruiser and not going to be doing strip type launches.
I didn't discover the issue until the new yokes, diff and cross member were already back in the car. The vendors attitude was like "oh well, guess you should have known". Have checked other vendors and have found where they do clearly differentiate between the two types. Hopefully, this may catch someone else's eye and save them the same problem.
